Rangers boss Steven Gerrard refused to put up a case for his defence as Rangers blew a golden chance against Spartak Moscow.

The Light Blues took the lead three times in the Russian capital, but a woeful second half display led to their first Europa League defeat of the season.

Rangers were on cloud nine when first half strikes from Glenn Middleton, Daniel Candeias and an own goal from Roman Eremenko gave them a 3-2 advantage.

But shocking defensive lapses, especially after the break, allowed Spartak to seize control for their first home win in Europe of the season as they blew Group G wide open.

The Rangers defence can only watch on as Spartak score their third (Image: AFP/Getty Images)

Villarreal and Rapid Vienna drew 0-0 and now only two points separate all four group rivals, with the Spaniards set for Ibrox next month before Rangers conclude their group campaign in Austria.

However, Gerrard refused to spare his ropey rearguard and knows more lamentable defending in their next two group games will cost them their shot at the last 32.

He said: “I’m very disappointed with the result. You saw two sides of our performance tonight. We attacked very well and were very dangerous and countered very bravely and got our rewards and took control at half time.

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“However, football is about levels and if you don’t do the basics well enough and defend properly then high level teams will normally punish you and that was the case here.

“We didn’t do the basics well enough or clear our lines at the right times and on other occasions we were not in the right positions.

“People who have had a lot of praise and who did really well to get us to this stage just didn’t do the basics well enough.

“Normally, to come here and score three goals you get a result but I’m bitterly disappointed with how we defended tonight.”

Ovie Ejaria is dejected after Spartak make it 3-3 (Image: SNS Group)

Gerrard decided against bolstering his midfield at half-time and it was a decision that came back to haunt him as they were undone with two goals in two minutes.

Rangers were overrun middle to front at a cost of their 11-match unbeaten run at this level since the former England skipper took over in the summer.

He added: “If the problem was tactically I would have looked to have changed personnel or formation. The goals we conceded were not due to tactics, but basic errors of defending.

“Of course you can make substitutions but these players are human. At times they might make mistakes but you trust them in the second half to defend better.

“Our message at the interval was to defend better and we could win, with the worse case scenario we come away with something from the match. We had a terrible five minutes and paid the price.

“However, the group is still wide open. It will go to the wire which is what we predicted at the beginning.

“Our next game at home to Villarreal becomes bigger and more exciting but we were under no illusions before the game.